Letter: Why do we force families to hold fundraisers to cover medical costs?

With Affordable Care Act, these fundraisers should become a thing of the past

EDITOR: If you viewed or read about the recent "Batkid" story from San Francisco, where 5-year-old leukemia survivor was granted the opportunity by the Make-a-Wish foundation to play out a day as Batman, I am sure that like me, you shed tears.

Hopefully Batkid, Miles Scott, will stay cancer-free. It made me think of local cases where families are forced to hold fundraisers and public events when a child in the family has fallen ill, to help cover the cost of treatment.

We see story after story like these repeated in our communities, and not only with children but also adults of all ages. People are forced into making decisions because they lack insurance, have pre-existing conditions or have policies that do not cover their needs. I would doubt there are many of us who do not know someone that has experienced something like this possibly with cancer.

We are caring people, but why do we have to continue to have fundraisers like golf outings, chili dinners, auctions, walks or other creative fundraisers for those with these medical costs?

The good news is the Affordable Care Act makes insurance available to all without these limitations. It also makes mental illness a required coverage. Is there anyone who does no know someone suffering from depression? Sickness and disease do not discriminate.

If health costs are covered, perhaps we can use these fundraisers for other charities.